US Capitol attack

FBI arrests ‘walis tambo’ man in US Capitol attack

Michelle Abad

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FBI arrests ‘walis tambo’ man in US Capitol attack

'WALIS TAMBO.' In an affidavit, the FBI includes a photo of Kene Brian Lazo as he wields a 'walis tambo' or broom in the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

US Department of Justice

The FBI uses Facebook records to trace Kene Brian Lazo, who told another Facebook user that he would go to Washington DC to protest on January 6

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Norfolk, Virginia, arrested Kene Brian Lazo – the man who hoisted a walis tambo (broom) in a viral photo from the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol.

On Friday, May 28, the US Department of Justice updated Lazo’s information page on its website, saying he had been arrested that day. FBI Norfolk also confirmed his arrest in a tweet.

Lazo faces the following charges:

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority
  • Diorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority
  • Disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds or in a Capitol building
  • Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building

Supporters of former president Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on January 6, a violent incident that left at least five dead. The rioters protested the election victory of President Joe Biden, proclaiming baseless allegations of cheating.

Tracked on Facebook

According to an affidavit by an FBI special agent, the bureau received a tip to look into a Facebook user called “Fam Council.” The person who tipped off the FBI had seen pictures of “Fam Council” in the Capitol, and recognized the logo on the Facebook user’s helmet that read “Rodbustars.”

The FBI determined that the logo referred to the company Rodbustars, LLC, which Lazo and his wife Jen own. A number ending in -0810 was listed as the business phone number.

The authorities found that the -0810 number had connected to a cell site near the Capitol building during the time of the riot. Records from the cellular service provider identified Jen Lazo as the account holder for the -0810 number.

The “Fam Council” account was deleted shortly after January 6, but the FBI was able to access Facebook records through a search warrant. The FBI found that Brian and Jen both operated the “Fam Council” page, but it was Brian who was posting about going to Washington and the Capitol.

On January 3, “Fam Council” told another user: “All is good uncle..i will be going ro washington DC (sic) to protest on jan6.”

The next day, another user told “Fam Council” he looked like “Superman Brian.” Brian responded that he “will be the only one with a boi boi representing asians.” The FBI agent believed “boi boi” referred to a walis tambo, a broom commonly used in the Philippines.

Brian later posted: “…i took a boi boi to the Capitol and swept the floor literally…”

On January 7, the day after the riot, a user asked: “How does it feel being there protesting at the White House Brian? Are you still there right now?”

“They still stole it even tho there cheating..it was humbling,” Brian responded.

The FBI also uncovered a separate post on January 5, where Brian posted photos of himself in the outfit he planned to wear on January 6.

‘OOTD.’ In a January 5 Facebook post, Kene Brian Lazo poses with his planned outfit to wear to the US Capitol riot.
US Department of Justice

American authorities did not confirm whether Lazo was Filipino. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez had said in January that some Filipinos participated in the riot.

The US justice department continues its massive investigation into the attack. The FBI also has a public database of most wanted individuals spotted at the riot.

On Friday, Republicans blocked a Senate probe into the Capitol riot. The White House said Biden remained committed to a full, independent investigation of the attack. – with a report from Reuters/Rappler.com

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Michelle Abad

Michelle Abad is a multimedia reporter at Rappler. She covers the rights of women and children, migrant Filipinos, and labor.